Columns

While we may not like to admit it, hunger is everywhere, in every single community, including Marion County.
While the economy has been improving, food insecurity and poverty remain higher than before the Great Recession of 2008 began. And while food insecurity rates have declined, the millions of people still facing hunger could be falling further behind.

As a member of the Lincoln Trail Workforce Development Board (LTWDB) and a human resource professional, I can relay firsthand our region’s growing demand for skilled workers in the manufacturing industry. At the same time, we know there are young adults living in our region who are interested in meaningful careers in manufacturing, but need help to get a successful start.

The Stars and Stripes have long represented the values and history of the United States, but oftentimes we do not know or fully understand how to respect “Old Glory’s” presence. On June 14, 2017, we celebrate the annual Flag Day to honor our nation’s emblem. In light of that holiday, Memorial Day, and the quickly-approaching Fourth of July, I thought it relevant to share some of the United States’ tradition, regulations, and laws pertaining to the American flag, all of which can be found in various government publications.

When the Elizabethtown-Fort Knox metropolitan statistical area ranked as the No. 1 MSA for start-up growth in the country, I couldn’t have been prouder of what that means for our region. The ranking speaks volumes for the entrepreneurial culture that has developed in our area, and a vital tool in developing that culture is providing aspiring business owners ongoing access to valuable resources.

Good, bad or ugly, my job is to report the news.
And, the news isn’t always good. And it’s not always pretty.
Sometimes it’s upsetting, depressing and downright frightening.
Take last week’s edition of the Enterprise, for example.

A constituent of mine recently brought to my attention that too often we let the discussion about Kentucky’s drug scourge fall by the wayside. Admittedly, I believe that happens because no one has a good solution to the problem and although we have made effort after effort to combat the epidemic we still have little to show for it. In 2015, Kentucky’s heroin-related death rate increased to 6.9 deaths for every 100,000 people — 23 times the rate in 2009.

As we celebrate Memorial Day, it is important that we take some time to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in giving their lives for this great nation. The brave men and women who took the fall for our freedom are owed far more than we could ever be repaid.

While Memorial Day weekend is a wonderful time for gathering with family and friends for picnics, pool parties and parades, I write to you with the annual reminder not to forget the true meaning of the event. Memorial Day is a time to remember the brave men and women who have put it all on the line so that we may live in freedom in the greatest nation in the world.